wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

Properties of Matter

Total questions: 22

Worksheet time: 11mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Heat energy

a)

can be transfered

b)

result of movement of tiny particles

c)

can be convection, radiation, or conduction

d)

all answers are correct

2.

What can scratch a diamond?

a)

talc

b)

fluorite

c)

another diamond

d)

quartz

3.

Which best describes scratchability?

a)

If Item A can scratch Item B, then item A is harder than Item B.

b)

If Item A can scratch item B, then Item B is harder than Item A.

c)

Back scratchers should be long and have a scratchy point.

d)

If Item A can scratch Item B, then neither item is harder than the other.

4.

Which physical properties describe minerals? These properties can't be changed.

a)

hardness

b)

luster

c)

color and streak

d)

cleavage and fracture

e)

size and shape

5.

Are minerals the same as rocks?

a)

No, rocks are composed of minerals and other components, such as sand.

b)

Yes, minerals and rocks are the same.

c)

No, only minerals exist, and some people just call them rocks.

d)

No, rocks come from non-living things, and minerals come from living things.

6.

Both minerals and rocks are made of inorganic (nonliving) components.

a)

True

b)

False

7.

A mineral can be

a)

a gas

b)

a liquid

c)

a solid

d)

any state of matter

8.

Can a mineral be composed of more than one type of atom?

a)

Yes. Salt (NaCl) is an example. It is made from sodium (Na) chloride (Cl).

b)

No. Only items with one type of atom can be a mineral.

c)

No. Naturally occurring minerals are just a myth.

d)

Yes. Minerals are manmade so they can be composed of anything.

9.

Minerals can have multiple colors. How is the streak of a mineral determined?

a)

The color is the streak, the color of the mineral's powder.

b)

List all of the colors you see.

c)

Name only the color that is the brightest.

d)

Name only the color that is the darkest.

10.

What is luster? Two correct answers.

a)

could be pearly, metallic, or glassy

b)

conduction of heat

c)

another word for hardness

d)

easily scratched

e)

the way a mineral reflects light

11.

How do we measure the hardness of a mineral?

a)

Conduction, radiation, and convection

b)

Mohs Hardness Scale

c)

Talc

d)

Quartz

12.

Choose the 2 true statements.

a)

Smooth, flat minerals break by cleavage.

b)

Smooth, flat minerals break by fracture.

c)

Uneven and rough minerals break by fracture.

d)

Uneven and rough minerals break by cleavage.

13.

The harder a mineral is, the less it can be scratched. Use the Mohs Hardness Scale to choose the true statement.

a)

Talc can scratch quartz.

b)

Topaz can scratch a diamond.

c)

Topaz can scratch calcite.

d)

Quartz can scratch corundum.

14.

Which is an example of energy?

a)

cold

b)

heat

c)

solid

d)

matter

15.

A force that can attract (pull closer) or repel (push away) objects that have a magnetic material like iron inside them

a)

conduction

b)

convection

c)

thermal energy

d)

magnetism

16.

Which component must an item have to be magnetic?

a)

iron

b)

glass

c)

plastic

d)

any mineral

17.

A measure of the ability of a material to transfer heat is called

a)

thermal conductivity

b)

hardness

c)

luster

d)

magnetism

18.

Example of a thermal conductor

a)

metal spoon

b)

glass spoon

c)

wooden spoon

d)

butter

19.

Electrical conductivity is the ability of electric current to flow through a material. Which 3 are examples of an electrical conductor?

a)

water

b)

glass

c)

copper

d)

any metal

e)

wood

20.

Choose the true statement.

a)

Glass is a good conductor.

b)

Glass is a good insulator.

c)

Wood is a good conductor.

d)

Copper is a good insulator.

21.

BONUS LEVEL: Which image do you think would be the hardest on the Mohs Hardness Scale?

a)

Top - More packed so harder than the bottom image to cut through

b)

Bottom - Less packed so easier than the top image to cut through

22.

BONUS LEVEL: Predict which would cleave and which would fracture. Look at molecule spacing. THIS IS EXTRA, NOT REQUIRED!

a)

Diamond (left) - fracture because molecules are densely packed with no cleave line

b)

Granite - cleave because molecules have a natural space that allows for an easy straight break (cleavage)